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Animatronics Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

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Senior Design Manager

Birmingham, AL · On-site

$95K - $102K/yr

Oversee multidisciplinary design teams (concept artists, CAD technicians, 3D modelers, engineers ... animatronics, and interactive technologies. * Exceptional ability to convert creative vision into ...

THIRTEENTH FLOOR ENTERTAINMENT GROUP

Show Tech

Houston, TX · On-site

$13 - $15.75/hr

Assemble and pressure-test pneumatic systems powering animatronics and motion-based props Nightly ... Working knowledge of DMX lighting systems, addressable LEDs, and programming tools such as Light-O ...

Thirteenth Floor Entertainment Group

Show Tech

Houston, TX

$13 - $15.75/hr

Assemble and pressure-test pneumatic systems powering animatronics and motion-based props Nightly ... Working knowledge of DMX lighting systems, addressable LEDs, and programming tools such as Light-O ...

NBCUniversal

Mgr Ride/Show Engineering

Universal City, CA · On-site

$96K - $118K/yr

Bachelor's degree in an applicable technical field required. * 5+ years' experience in theme park engineering roles including mechanical show systems, show action equipment (SAE), animatronics, or ...

Thirteenth Floor Entertainment Group

Show Tech

Houston, TX · On-site

$13 - $15.75/hr

Assemble and pressure-test pneumatic systems powering animatronics and motion-based props Nightly ... Working knowledge of DMX lighting systems, addressable LEDs, and programming tools such as Light-O ...

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Animatronics Engineer information

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$39K

$101.8K

$137.5K

How much do animatronics engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 1, 2026, the average yearly pay for animatronics engineer in the United States is $101,752.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $84,000.00 and $116,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Animatronics Engineer vs Mechanical Engineer?

AspectAnimatronics EngineerMechanical Engineer
Required CredentialsBachelor's in Mechanical, Electrical, or Robotics Engineering; specialized training in animatronicsBachelor's in Mechanical Engineering; professional licensure often preferred
Work EnvironmentTheme parks, film studios, entertainment industryManufacturing, automotive, aerospace, product design
Industry UsageDesigning and building animated figures and robots for entertainmentDesigning mechanical systems for various industries

Animatronics Engineers focus on creating animated figures and robotic characters for entertainment settings, requiring specialized skills in robotics and electronics. Mechanical Engineers have a broader scope, designing mechanical systems across multiple industries. While both roles involve mechanical design, Animatronics Engineers specialize in entertainment robotics, making their skills more tailored to animatronic projects.

How much do animatronics engineers make?

Animatronics engineers typically earn a median annual salary of around $70,000 to $100,000, depending on experience, location, and industry. Advanced skills in robotics, mechanical design, and programming can lead to higher compensation, especially in entertainment or theme park environments.

What type of engineer works on animatronics?

An Animatronics Engineer is a specialized engineer who designs, develops, and maintains animatronic systems used in entertainment, theme parks, and film. They often have backgrounds in mechanical, electrical, or robotics engineering and use tools like CAD software and programming skills to create realistic moving figures.
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Cities with the most Animatronics Engineer job openings:

What states have the most Animatronics Engineer jobs?

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What job categories do people searching Animatronics Engineer jobs look for?

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Animatronics Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Animatronics Engineer job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 89% Full Time, 3% Part Time, and 8% Contract. Highlights an 91% In-person, 3% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $101,752 per year, or $48.9 per hour.

Animatronic Intern (Spring 2027 ) - Mechanical Engineering, Controls, and QC

LF Studios

Madeira, OH • On-site

$16 - $22/hr

Other

Posted 7 days ago

Job description

About the Job:
LF Studios specializes in designing and building animatronics for major theme parks worldwide. Our job is to tell stories, making people laugh, and creating lasting memories for the world's leading attractions, exhibits, branded spaces and IP based products.
The Engineering/Design Team at LF Studios is actively searching for Spring 2026 interns. We’re looking for a broad spectrum of talent, including mechanical design + engineering, controls, quality control and inspection, and drafting.
In this role, you will:
  • Own the development of animatronics through the full lifecycle including design, analysis, procurement, quality control (QC), assembly, testing, and installation.
  • Use SolidWorks to design animatronics using DFM (design for manufacturing).
  • Coordinate engineering effort with digital modeling, controls, and fabrication teams.
  • Analyze the animatronics through hand calculations, bearing calculations, RBDs (Rigid Body Dynamic Simulations), and FEA (Finite Element Analysis).
  • Produce drawing packages following ASTM standards.
  • Participate in design workshops and reviews.
  • Present company design and fabrication work to internal project teams.
  • Troubleshoot assembly and performance problems on the production floor.
  • Coordinate effort to create and maintain all mechanical and armature documentation throughout the project.
  • Electrical design and assembly of control boxes.
  • Test and adjust of animatronic systems.
  • Inspection of parts, machined components, and assemblies.